Combination ladder, skid, and bridge



Feb. 3, 1931. E. A. sPRA'GuE COMBINATION LADDER, SKID, AND BRIDGE FiledJuly 19, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 2mm 6. SPF/Z605 ATTORNEY Feb. 3, 1931.E. A. SPRAGUE COMBINATION LADDER, SKID, AND BRIDGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed July 19, 1929' 5M0? KSPM E ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 3, 1931 UNETEDSTATES ELMER A. SPRAG'UE, F CALDWELL, IDAHO COMBINATION LADDER, SKID,AND BRIDGE Application filed July 19,

when the plates are in lowered position, the

device will form a bridge or a skid and by supporting the plates in araised position by riser members pivoted to the frame, the device can beused as a ladder. The device can also be reversed and used as a skid forround or other objects.

This invention also consists in certain other features of constructionand in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to behereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawingsand specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to theaccompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, and inwhich:

Figure 1 is a view showing the device used as a skid, with the platesuppermost.

Figure 2 is a view showing the device used as a ladder or steps.

Figure 3 is a View of the device used as askid with the plateslowermost, this position of the device being more particularly adaptedfor round objects.

Figure 4 is a View showing the device used as a bridge.

Figure 5 is a front View of the device, with the step forming platesshown in dotted lines.

Figure 6 is an edge View, with the plates in lowered position in fulllines and in raised position in dotted lines.

Figure 7 is a front view of Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the top plate.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of portion of the top of the device.

Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the means for lockingthe step plates in lowered position.

As shown in these views, the device com prises a pair of beams 1connected in spaced and parallel relation by the cross pieces 2 and aplurality of plates 3, each plate being 1929. Serial No. 379,483.

hingedly connected with the beams by the staples L which pass throughholes in a pair of straps 5 connected with the bottom of each plate andthe staples being driven into the beams. The device also comprises apair of riser members 6, each consisting of a straight rod 6" fastenedto each beam adjacent the outer side thereof by the staples 6 and thesubstantially triangular-shaped parts 7 connected with the rod 6. Byswinging these members 6 outwardly, the upper portions of the parts 7will form supports for the plates and hold them in a position where saidplates will form steps, as shown in Figure 2. By swinging the members 6inwardly, where the parts 7 will rest against the beams, the plates canbe lowered upon the beams, as shown in Figures 1 and i, so that thedevice can be used as a skid, as in Figure 1, or as a bridge, as inFigure 6. By reversing the device, as in Figure 3, the device can beused as a skid for roundobjects, as shown in said figure.

The top plate is provided with two pairs of lugs 8 on its under face,each pair receiving a part of the upper member 7 of each risermember sothat these members are locked in raised position and there is no dangerof the plates collapsing when the device is used as a ladder. A doublehook 9 is fastened to the top cross piece and is adapted to hook over apart of a truck platform or the like, as shown in Figure 1, to hold thedevice in position when used as a skid or as a ladder.

A sliding locking strip 10 is arranged at the longitudinal center of thedevice and has hooks 11 thereon for engaging the keepers 12 on the lowerfaces of the step plates to hold such plates in lowered position. Bysliding the strip 10 downwardly, the hooks will be moved out of thekeepers and then the plates can be raised. The strip is held in eitherone of its two positions by the pin 13 engaging either one of two holesformed in the top of the strip.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages andnovel features of the invention will be readily'apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction andin the com bination and arrangement of the several parts, provided thatsuch changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is 1. A device of the class described comprising anelongated frame, a plurality of plates hingedly connected with theframe, said plates resting upon the frames and forming a coveringtherefor when in lowered position and riser members pivotally connectedwith the frame and adapted to be swung outwardly to hold the plates inraised position whereby the device can be used as a ladder, the devicebeing used as a skid or bridge when the plates are in flat position.

2. A device of the class described comprising an elongated frame, aplurality of plates hingedly connected with the frame, said platesresting upon the frames and forming a covering therefor when in loweredposition and riser members pivotally connected with the frame andadapted to be swung outwardly to hold the plates in raised positionwhereby the device can be used a ladder, the device being used as a skidor bridge when the plates are in flat position and means for locking theriser members in raised position.

3. A device of the class described comprising an elongated frame, aplurality of plates hingedly connected with the frame, said platesresting upon the frames and forming a covering therefor when in loweredposition and riser members pivotally connected with the frame andadapted to be swung outwardly to hold the plates in raised positionwhereby the device can be used as a ladder, the device being used as askid or bridge when the plates are in flat position, means for lockingthe riser members in raised position, such means comprising spaced lugson the bottom part of one of the plates engaging parts of the risermembers.

4. A device of the class described comprising an elongated frame, aplurality of plates hingedly connected with the frame, said platesresting upon the frames and forming a covering therefor when in loweredposition and riser members pivotally connected with the frame andadapted to be swung outwardly to hold the plates in raised positionwhereby the device can be used as a ladder, the device being used as askid or bridge when the plates are in flat position, means for lockingthe riser members in raised position, such means comprising ears on thebottom part of one of the plates engaging parts of the riser members anda double hook on the upper end of the frame.

5. A device of the class described comprising an elongated frame, aplurality of plates hingedly connected with the frame,said platesresting upon the frames and forming a covering therefor when in loweredposition and riser members pivotally connected with the frame andadapted to be swung outwardly ELMER A. SPRAGUE.

